Suspect device found in driveway of Fiona Doyle's home was viable

A SUSPECT device, which was found at the home of abuse survivor Fiona Doyle on Tuesday, has been confirmed to be a viable device.

The Army Bomb Disposal Unit was called to Ms Doyle's home at Village Gate, Ballycanew, after the device was discovered in the driveway of her home at 9 a.m. Fiona suggested the device may have had something to do with her husband's work as he works as a bouncer in Wicklow, but gardaí in Gorey said they are looking at all avenues as to the motivation behind the incident.

Some 16 houses in the vicinity of the property were evacuated for the duration of the alert and a cordon and road closures were put in place. The authorities in the nearby primary school were advised to keep the children indoors.

The Army Bomb Disposal Unit attended the scene at 12.15 p.m. and made the device safe, without the need for a controlled explosion. The device was then taken away for examination and it was later confirmed to be a viable improvised explosive device. Items of an evidential nature will be handed over to the Gardaí to assist them with their investigation.